U.S. stocks closed down Thursday after new reports finding drops in manufacturing activity in China and Europe overshadowed data pointing to continued improvement for U.S. employment. Global stocks began their retreat this morning after a preliminary measure of the Chinese purchase managers' index fell to 48.1 this month, its lowest reading since last November, according to HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics. Readings below 50 indicate a contraction. A similar report following manufacturing and services in Euro-area countries also slid to 48.7 during March from a 49.3 reading last month, Markit reported. In the U.S., initial jobless claims fell to 348,000 in the week ended March 17, the fewest sinceComplete Story »

U.S. stocks slumped broadly in early trading Friday as the price of crude oil dropped below $30 a barrel, pulling energy company shares sharply lower. Discouraging data on retail sales and manufacturing also weighed on the market. Financial stocks were among the biggest decliners. The slide came a day after the stock market clocked its best day in over a month.

U.S. stocks slumped broadly in early trading Friday as the price of crude oil dropped below $30 a barrel, pulling energy company shares sharply lower. Discouraging data on retail sales and manufacturing also weighed on the market. Financial stocks were among the biggest decliners. The slide came a day after the stock market clocked its best day in over a month.

(NEW YORK) — The new year got off to an inauspicious start on Wall Street as stocks tumbled Monday in a global sell-off triggered by new fears of a slowdown in China and rising tensions in the Middle East.
The Dow Jones industrial average clawed back from a steep early decline but still ended down 1.6 percent, its biggest loss in two weeks. Markets in Asia and Europe were down more.